Monique Lhuillier Adds Lab-Grown Diamonds to Kay Jewelers Collection
The bridal gown designer is offering bigger center stones at more accessible price points.
Lhuillier is once again expanding her “Bliss” line, adding 21 new styles to the range.
The offerings include 12 engagement ring styles, six “universal,” or unisex, matching bands, and three women's lab-grown diamond bands.
The engagement rings feature round, princess-cut, oval, emerald and pear-shaped lab-grown center diamonds set in 18-karat yellow, white, and rose gold.
"With this new category debut, I have showcased my signature designs with larger carat weights while remaining accessible to the Kay consumer," said Monique Lhuillier in a statement.
She debuted the collection at a private event in New York City Wednesday, sitting down for a Q&A session with Alexandra Macon, weddings editor at Vogue.com and founder of bridal e-commerce website Over the Moon.
The pair was introduced by Bill Brace, president of Kay Jewelers.
“It’s been exciting to see how we together have been able to translate her fabulous designs into the world of jewelry and create what I think is the pinnacle of design for modern brides and grooms,” said Brace.
During the discussion, Lhuillier spoke about her early connection to jewelry and her dream of opening a jewelry store.
“I grew up with a very glamorous mother,” she said. “She loved jewelry so much. Sometimes she would pick her jewelry first and then decide what she was going to wear, so she instilled that in me.”
She recalled often receiving jewelry gifts for Christmas and Valentine’s Day when she was growing up.
In her high school yearbook, she said her goal was to open fashion and jewelry stores around the world.
She began her career in fashion, elevating herself to one of best-known bridal designers, before teaming up with Kay Jewelers during the pandemic.
Her two loves go hand in hand, with her jewels mirroring the romantic, floral-inspired dress designs.
“You’re only going to wear the dress once, but I wanted you to look down at your jewelry and remind yourself how special that moment was,” she said.
She also spoke about why she was hesitant to incorporate lab-grown diamonds into her collection, and what changed her mind.
Around two years ago, the Kay team asked her if she’d like to use lab-grown diamonds.
“I wasn’t ready back then. I didn’t know enough about the product.”
After learning more about them, she was on board with the idea.
“I love how the stone looks. I love how it’s colorless. I love the brilliance and how you can get an impactful design with a larger center stone,” Lhuillier said.
Macon added, “The accessibility of the price points, you can’t ignore it.”
The jewels range in price from $1,099 for a band to $19,000 for a three-carat diamond ring.
The collection is available online at Kay Jewelers’ website and in select Kay stores.
Lhuillier previously expanded the Bliss line earlier this year, adding colored gemstones and black diamonds to the mix.
The Latest
A federal judge gave Benjamin Preacher 59 days in jail, plus 10 months of home confinement and two years of supervised release.
In a CNBC interview, CEO Tehmasp Printer discussed the IPO in India and what declining lab-grown diamond prices mean for the company.
The offering included vintage Rolexes, timepieces worn in “Titanic,” Steve McQueen's watch, and a special Citizen pocket watch.
For over a century, Jewelers of America has been the voice of the industry and valuable resource to jewelers across the country.
The 13-piece “Stephanie Gottlieb x Studs” collection is the piercing studio’s first fine jewelry offering to feature the gemstone.
The Brazilian jewelry brand made a home on New York City’s Madison Avenue with exclusive pieces only available at the location.
An Adobe Analytics report explored the rise in mobile shopping, the popularity of Buy Now Pay Later options, and peak shopping hours.
While no reputable jeweler would knowingly sell lab-grown stones as natural, it's a growing possibility.
The inaugural Dick Greenwood Memorial Scholarship in Gems Science will cover the fall 2025 and spring 2026 semesters.
A Piazza Italia pavilion will feature Italian designers and manufacturers while “MJSA Showcase” brings over a piece of the MJSA Expo.
“Ray Griffiths: The Works” tells the story of the master jeweler’s career, which started with an apprenticeship in Australia at age 15.
Davis is the director of business development at Select Jewelry Inc., and Mobley is the jewelry and watch editor at the Natural Diamond Council.
The retailer has been upping its marketing spend to drive revenue growth and brand awareness.
Mike Straub and John Treiber opened Treiber & Straub in 1980 with the goal of bringing Milwaukeeans the best jewelry brands.
The color for 2025, “Mocha Mousse,” embodies thoughtful indulgences and everyday pleasures.
The Yoruba word for ant, “Kokoro” embodies the strength of womanhood in ant society while highlighting responsible sourcing.
The retailer’s jewelry sales doubled, with branded jewelry performing especially well.
The jewelry retailer addressed the lab-grown diamond “disruption,” the price of gold, and its holiday weekend performance.
A more positive view of the current labor market boosted the Conference Board’s index last month.
The director of the Swiss Gemmological Institute (SSEF) will be honored for his impact on gemology and dedication to advancing the science.
Sponsored by 2025 AGTA GemFair Tucson
At the annual event, in its second year, the organization honored those making remarkable contributions to the jewelry industry.
Celebrate December babies with 20 pieces of jewelry featuring this month’s birthstones—turquoise, tanzanite, and zircon.
A total of 126 million consumers shopped in stores over the five-day period, about 5 million more than last year.
The fine jewelry designer, who came out of retirement in 2017, is putting down his sketchpad for good.
The Type IIa, very light pink colored diamond was the highlight of the recent Hong Kong jewelry auction.
John Willard Craiger, 83, fatally shot jeweler Ghazi “Gus” Michel Osta following an argument in the store.